Amy Savage, a renowned naval photographer in the Portsmouth area, has captured stunning images of aircraft embarking on-board HMS Queen Elizabeth ahead of her upcoming deployment.

I really recommend following Amy on Twitter as she frequently posts great snaps of the ships coming and going from Portsmouth. You can find Amy on Twitter by clicking here or going to her profile at @AmzJS13.

These photos have been posted with the kind permission of Amy.

Crowsnest fitted Merlins have also landed.

The F-35 jets will join once the vessel is at sea.

More images can be found on Amy’s account here.

What’s happening?

The Royal Navy say that the UK’s Carrier Strike Group will visit more than one fifth of the world’s nations when it sails next month. Led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, the task group will visit 40 nations including India, Japan, Republic of Korea and Singapore in a deployment covering 26,000 nautical miles.

Largest concentration of UK seapower in a generation to sail

“While in the Pacific, ships from the Carrier Strike Group will mark the 50th anniversary of the Five Powers Defence Agreement between Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the UK by taking part in Exercise Bersama Lima.

Joining HMS Queen Elizabeth on her maiden deployment are destroyers HMS Diamond and Defender; frigates HMS Richmond and Kent; an Astute-class submarine in support below the waves; and Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring. More than 30 aircraft will also embark across the task group including F-35 jets from 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, and the US Marine Corps’ VMFA-211; Wildcat helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron and Merlin helicopters from 820 and 845 Naval Air Squadrons.

Royal Marines from 42 Commando will also deploy with the carrier. Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen and American Arleigh Burke destroyer USS The Sullivans are also part of the strike group.”

The group will also join up and take part in exercises with French carrier FS Charles De Gaulle in the Mediterranean as well as navies and aircraft from allies such as the US, Canada, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan and the UAE.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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66 COMMENTS

  3. Nice to see Crowsnest aboard. Good Luck to the Task Group and crews. Two questions that I can find no answer for, maybe someone can help. An Astute class SSN has about 90 days food on board, with the deployment lasting about 26 weeks where or how will she be replenished and possibly recrewed? Does anyone know if a US SSN will join the Task Group.
    I would think that the QE and her group would return via the Panama Canal so a quick stop at Pearl Harbour and the East coast of Canada/US would be good for fling the flag and show that the RN is back in the carrier game. It would be good to see the QE Task Group work alongside a US carrier group.
    Now can we get PoW back to sea and finish her trials so that we have a real two carrier fleet.
    My main regret with the carriers is not that we do not have enough F35Bs at the moment for a full RAF/FAA load that will come in time, but that SAMPSON and Sea Ceptor have not been installed. Before someone goes of on one the QEs were originally designed to take SAMPSON and as far as I am aware there are or were 9 sets of SAMPSON produced, six for the T45s, P1 was in Eskmeals Cumbria, P2 Longbow barge, P3 Portsdown Hill. So it seems that with only one being used for test and development there are two sets somewhere doing a lot of nothing. They are paid for, yes the software will or might need updating, but that is paid for so why not use them on a platform that would find them useful. You can never have enough radar coverage. As for Sea Ceptor, there is arguements for and against, however, this missile is cold launched meaning no rubbish, smoke etc over the deck, it does appear to be a very good short to medium range anti air missile and the carrier has the space to mount them without any major work. Yes some power cables need to be run, 2-4 data links need to be installed, three control cabinets are needed and I’m not sure but possibly a coolant feed. I am not saying that the QE should have a T26 Sea Ceptor fit but possible 12-24 missiles and a full reload. I only wish that we had 2-3 T26s operational now, it then would have been the first carrier task group in the world designed for 5th gen aircraft and with full stealth design.

    Speaking about F35Bs does anyone know if it would be possible to have a F35B Growler?

    • As I understand it Ron there will be ” an ” SSN with the task Force but the paper didn’t say whether it would be the same one all the time.
      If your interested “East of Suez and the Royal Navy” under analysis options is a paper I wrote which has a lot of good posts back about he F35 and SeaCeptor etc.

      • GR, can you send me the paper to my e-mail [email protected]. I am very much interested at the moment I am writing a paper on the possible need for the RN to have small combattant ships such as the Haminia class. My reasoning for such a vessel is simple a FFG or DDG is a blue water vessel, the straits such as the Malaca Strait, Hormuz Strait etc would be better with a fast missile patrol boat possible with T31 cover. If we built such boats we could also use them as a replacement for the P2000 class and they could be manned with officer cadets and RNR staff.

    • On the F35B Growler front, yes and no. At the moment and for the foreseeable future there is no need for a dedicated Growler version of the F35. The aircraft’s current avionics coupled with its inherent stealth give it a massive edge over current aircraft. Especially when conducting SEAD missions (did someone mention Spear 3!). It doesn’t really need the jammer support. Not that it won’t help, its just hat the aircraft can self-support with what it has already. The USMC did a trial last year, which showed that 9 time out of 10 the aircraft could penetrate most air defence systems without help. If they needed the last 1/10 they would call upon the USN Growlers.

      About 2 years ago, an F35 carried a dummy version of the next generation jammer on an inner hard point, for flow and separation testing. Though if it was fitted it would upset the aircraft’s RCS, so it may be installed in the bomb bay, with the door being replaced by an antenna panel. If opposing countries air defence systems start closing the gap, I would expect the jammer being used, to back up the aircraft’s systems.

      • I agree the RN and I think the USN does not say where a SSN is operational. My question and possibly my fault was for a diffrent reason. The USN is the RNs main combat partner, the USN Subs and RN Subs know each other and the sound of each others ships. This sound is put into the computers as friendly. So, each ship makes a noise that you can ID, however a task group makes a combined noise, this imalgamation of water acustics a sub would hear way before you can pick up individual sounds. So it would make sense for the USN to hear what a RN task Group sounds like. In a conflict if I heard a sound that I did not know then I would shot first ask questions later. So it would to me make sense that a US and French SSN would play tag to get an acustic sig of the Task Group to put into their systems.

        • Hi Ron, understand what you are trying to say, but, it doesn’t exactly work like that.
          The CSG will make a lot of combined noise, detection of which will broadly speaking be dependent on a number of factors, the water environment and distance/relative position to the TG being the main ones.
          When tracking contacts, sonar systems use a series of filters to look for different machinery components in an attempt to classify individual units. The bandwidth of said filters varies from fairly large to v small, depending on what you are looking for. The main sensor for sub hunting is the TA, as it is optimised to look for very discrete frequencies, which fall well below the frequency range of the human ear.

          • Hi Deep 32, I understand what you are saying however let me explain. Yes the human ear works from about 300Hz-3.4 KHz basically the range of a old analog telephone. However sound in air and sea does not work in that way. Each ship prop gives of a harmonic (prop rotation), the hull of a ship also give a harmonic due to engine vibration (movement through the sea). This you can pick up and depending on how good your system is up to the other side of the Atlantic. However, when you have several ships close together this harmonic changes to a single tone. The reason for this change is that props etc all work in the same band width, if I remember correctly it is about seven miles were they converge and make a single frequency but very loud. It really makes no diffrence in the harmonics but it will mean a diffrence in loudness if you have five ship or seven. To get into firing range for a sub you need to get through the loudnes belt to come inside and pick out the harmonics of a single ship. So what does this mean, at ten miles I will hear a large amount of ships going past, I will know the diffrence in warship to merchant ship due to the frequency, but to identify a warship from the group I will need to get inside the general noise to pick out which is which. Thats about 7-10 miles range.

          • From my own towed array experience, you can pick out individual units in a group at a considerable distance. Specific harmonics are unique to specific vessels along with blade rates. The filters can isolate specific frequencies and harmonics and sub harmonics.

          • Hi Ron, back in the day(1970s) mainframe SM sonars (analogue systems)had a WB unfiltered frequency response of approx 0-12kHz, which is roughly the same range as the human ear, albeit from a youngster(8-15ish), after that our hearing deteriorates and not necesserily in a linear fashion, more like peaks and troughs within the range. Hence as we get older we tend not to hear the missus as much!!!!
            Most sound in the ocean, man made or natural also occurs within this range, barring some mammals-dolphins etc and acticve sonars, although they are mainly echo sounders and torpedoes.
            The RN places great faith in the human ear, so all of its SM sonars have a audio facility to listen to the outside environment. Where the frequency goes above our range, the signal is hetrodyned (put into our audio range) so we can hear it, everything else about the signal is the same.
            I can go into the rest of your answer(sound propagation and harmonic resonances) if you like, but is probably a tad too long for this forum, and not overly exciting for some I imagine. Happy to send you an email on the subject if you wont.

      • I’d suggest that it’s the best form of Anti Submarine defence for a carrier, having one or two SSN’s as part of the group…

        its common knowledge that American Carrier groups have at least one SSN with them…

    • Thanks, I did not know about the pallet drop. Just thinking about 8 months with the same folks in a closed space, help me out of there come to mind.

    • Hi Ron, I would imagine that one A boat gets tasked with CSG escort and will stay the course.
      As for replenishment, Diago Garcia and somewhere in the gulf-not sure where exactly are the usual places for our SSNs to replenish stores etc.

    • Why would the QE group go via the Panama?
      Previous deployments to the Far east turn around and come back the same way. I suppose one unit could be released to go back that way.

      The Sub can go to Gib, Diego, Singers or any other Z berth to replenish.

      • Hi GB, Reading something similer over on NL, this subject cropped up, and, I believe the answer is that the QE is too wide to pass through the canal so wont be going that way.

    • Probably not through the Panama Canal, I read somewhere the new locks are 49m wide and correct me if I am wrong (highly likely) but I thought QE2 was about 73m at the flight deck, so it would more than scrape the paint off!

  5. In a post on the article about the SSN joining the CSG, Daniele indicated that the air wing would be, and I quote from his post:

    “They also confirmed the Air Group.

    8 UK F35.
    7 Merlin HM2
    3 Merlin HC4
    4 Wildcat

    Plus the USMC contribution.”

    This raised a discussin about whether some of these aircraft would be deployed on the escorts and supporting RFA’s. However, the article above indicates that the carrier wing will be 30 aircraft suggesting that the numbers above do indeed pertain to the carrier air wing and that the escorts / RFA flights are in addition. This would be a considerable number of UK aircraft along with the USMC contingent.

    Not bad given the lack of funding for UK defence over the last 30 years.

    Cheers CR

    • 815 have confirmed four Wildcat will be on the escorts (it caught my eye after my initial speculation). We’ll have to wait and see if that’s the four mentioned in the publication, or an additional four. They’ll also be taking Sea Venom out for a tour.

      Regardless, it’s still fantastic to see. Amy has posted some fantasic snaps today!

    • HC4’s will be on the RFA’s.

      The article actually says more than 30 aircraft will be deployed across the task force i.e. not necessarily on the carrier.

      • My mistake, hopefully more than 30 across the squadron means more the 22 on the Carrier…

        I guess we’ll find out soon enough…

        Cheers CR

        • Think it will be F35’s (18) and Helicopters (14) across the fleet. Looked at a short film on Forces news network yesterday. Will see..

    • Excellent if carrier wing only. I was slightly disappointed at the thought the 22 were across the entire group.

  7. one slight gripe I have with CSG21 is that I really would like to see the UK have at least the same number of F35’s onboard as the USMC.. You can just see the headlines now.

    but yet again another good day for the RN.

    • We do actually have enough airframes to put 10 x F35B on board, so presumably there is a reason why we aren’t?

      • It’s likely that the 8 aircraft form one flight from 617 Sqn, so yes whilst we could theoretically put more on it would likely disrupt the other flights crew availability on the next operational rotation.

      • Theres 3 in the US for testing and development work, just under 20 are available for operational use and about half of these are being used for pilot training. That means 1 full strength training squadron and one under strength trained squadron which is being deployed.

        • There is one more thing that no one thought about HMS Prince of Wales, as far as I am aware she is to under go F35 training in UK waters this year using UK aircraft.

  8. Looking at the stats of this carrier group it would seem that there is potentially an organisational structure that can be formed for the RN going forward

    2 no. Carrier Strike Groups (9 surface ships) – 3600 personnel per Group
    [1 x QEC, 2 x T45, 2 x T26, 2 x T31, 1 x Tide, 1 x MRSS]

    2 no. Amphibious Attack Groups (9 ships) – 3600 personnel per Group
    [1 x Albion, 2 x T45, 2 x T26, 2 x T31, 1 x Tide, 1 x MRSS4]

    4 no. Standing Task Groups (10 ships) -3600 personnel per Group
    [4 x T31’s / Rivers, 4 x P2000’s, 2 x MRSS]

    1 no. Submarine Group (16 ships) – 3600 personnel per Group
    [4 SSBN, 12 SSN]

    1 no. Command & Support Group – 3600 personnel

    this would give the RN a 95 ship fleet (inc RFA) and require 36k personnel including Marines, RFA, FAA and command

    Should we / can we make this happen?

    • Pacman 27, I agree, I have argued and suggested to the MoD that the carrier groups should operate as a unit. What do I mean with this the DDGs FFGs support ships and SSN works together, they go operational as a unit satnd down as a unit, go into refit and repair as a unit. We could even create a local allegance such as the PoW could have Dragon, Duncan, Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast and that could be battle group Celt. It could mean peoples from Wales Scotland, N.Ireland might join in greater numbers for this battle group.

      However, I disagree with your fleet structure, I would do it a bit diffrent. The carrier groups would have (1 x QE, 2 x T45, 3 x T26, 1 x Tide, 1 x FSSS, 1 x Astute) the Amphib group would have (1 x Albion (Canberra type replacement) 1 x T 45, 1 xT26, 1 x Tide, 1 x FSSS, 1 x Astute). This would give four battlegroups and five independent T31s. I would like to see 10 Harmina type vessels to work with the T31s to form small overseas surfasce combat groups. As I have said before I would like to see the T32 based on the Damen Crossover Combattant or Amphibous, they could have 100-200 RMs whilst having the ability to operate as a frigate. The Hamina class could also replace the P2000 class. I do like the Hamina class concept, a small vessel doing 30-40 knots with a anti air ability such as Sea Ceptor, a anti ship ability such as the RBS-15, a 40mm gun, a towed array, anti sub torp, and the ability to turn on its bow. What is not to like if it is operating in sea choke points.Depending on how the T32 is developed they could operate together with the T31 group as a LSS combat group. However the LSS combat surface group of 1x T32, 1 x T31, 2 x Hamina type would need a non nuclear type sub for underwater warfare and SBS operations.This would be an extra cost of about £5 billion over a ten year period, as some of the cost is to be expected due to the replacement of the Albion class and the P2000s that would be reduced to about £4.2 billion over and above planned current cost.

      • Hey Ron

        i think we broadly agree here

        2 carrier strike groups
        2 amphibious attack groups
        4 standing task groups
        1 submarine force

        Each is a commodore level command and the STG in particular can break down into 2 squadrons.

        i also agree with your comments on rotation

        I do think we could benefit from a SSK fleet, but have balanced this off against getting better value out of our nuclear capability which would hopefully reduce the costs of all vessels substantially.

        When you add in all the remote capabilities it could be something special and for me seems very doable. Big decision is the MRSS this needs to be the best design possible and a fleet of 12-14 perhaps with 2 distinct batches

        at least it’s a plan and I think either of our proposals is a step forward

  9. Visits to 40 countries! one hell of a diplomatic trip, their going to be having visitor ceremonies every other day on this deployment.

  10. I reckon that the US will be sending boats to watch the watchers.
    The Chinese will use their assets to gain intel, the USN will be there.

  12. Great news hope all goes well on the waves and in the Air.Will be watching closer when in South China sea .Interesting to see if China push there luck.🙏hope not.

    • Hi Andrew, All, nice photos. Has anyone seen if they’ve installed any 30mm or any other systems next to the Phalanx’s on the carriers? It looks like the spaces are still there. Any extra layer of defence would be very useful.

      • I heard the 30s are not getting fitted and Phalanx will do the surface protection role along with Martlett Wildcats. Phalanx has a thim so it can easily do the job.
        Perhaps they are looking at surplus CTA 40s to fit to some mounts as they are no longer needed by the ARMY for Warrior and are surplus to requirements. Waste not want not. The current 30mm mounts from MSI can take a 40mm cannon.

        or you could go for

        https://www.edrmagazine.eu/navdex-2019-nexter-and-thales-detail-rapidfire-naval-gun-system

        • There’s a new article on Navy Lookout on this lack of armament on the QE and POW. Looks like you’re right, no 30mm mounts. I wonder why they didn’t go for 4 phalanx’s or al least with additional 4 x 40mm with variable ammunition or, even Dragon Fire? Maybe there’s some portable Star Streak or Sea Streak options? Anyway, wishing every ship and every single sailor a safe and memorable trip around the globe promoting GB, international cooperation and democratic values and freedom!

  13. Hopefully everyone’s vaccinated against COVID, or every port visit is going to be playing Russian Roulette….

    • Covid protocol means that it is likely they will stay bubbled. Most vessels out this way are the same. The crew gets to go on the jetty and occasionally to UKNSF …that’s about it . Nobody goes outside the dockyard into the community. Getting Jabbed may help to relieve the situation but the MOD will go ALARP.
      So no crew having runs ashore, stay on the jetty and stay in the bubble means low risk and crap runs for the crews..

      • At any other time I’d imagine a round the world trip with so many Ports to visit would have been on most sailors wish list…

        hopefully the next round the world deployment will be in better times…..

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